The European Genre Forum, a one-year training cycle for emerging European genre filmmakers, has opened its call for submissions. The EGF is a collaboration between the Imagine, Fantastic Zagreb and Black Nights Film Festivals. In 2022, EGF will run four Talent Labs from August to November.

The objective of the European Genre Forum (EGF) is to provide comprehensive cross-sector and film life cycle training for professionals working in European fantastic film – a rapidly growing pan-European industry that is still distinctively different from the general film industry. Its unique requirements for creative and fiscal development, production characteristics and distribution and monetizing networks have created a dedicated infrastructure of markets, festivals and – now – training.

EGF is aimed at European directors developing their first or second feature length genre film project with an established producer attached. Participants should previously have directed/produced at least one short film that has been screened internationally.
Genre films and related genres include horror, science fiction, fantasy, anime, dark thrillers, dark comedies, mystery, adventure and martial arts as well as TV series. Documentaries with a focus on genre film can also be considered.

Eight projects will be selected and the participants will attend all talent labs.

The EGF training cycle consists of four talent labs in the second half of 2022. Together, the labs will increase the level of the participating projects in every aspect: creatively, financially, legally and in terms of access to the market.

The Screenwriting and Directing Lab takes place in August and is on online event, organized by Fantastic Zagreb. It focuses on script development and other artistic aspects of the projects.

The Script Lab takes place online in September and it a two-day pressure cooker that follows up on the script development of the first lab. Organized by Fantastic Zagreb.

The Producing Lab in October takes place during the Imagine Film Festival in Amsterdam and is aimed at the business side, with coproduction and legal aspects among its topics.

The Marketing and Packaging Lab in November is part of the Industry@Tallinn programme of the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn and is focusing on pitching, packaging, marketing and sales.

Deadline for submission is Wednesday 15 June, 2022.

Read the Rules and Regulations for submission here

Please submit your project here

For you have any questions, please send a note at info@europeangenreforum.com